Delegates approve funding, operational changes

Delegates approved a number of key changes to Brotherhood funding and operational procedures on Day 3 as the Constitution and Law Committee continued its work. Also reporting were the Cement and Building Supplies Committee and the Political Action Committee. Capping off the day was a dinner and a performance by Country Western artist Terri Clark.

Among the funding changes were raising the sick dues to the current per capita rate and eliminating work dues; Cement Division dues restructuring; an increase in Railroad Division dues; changes in the distribution of revenues by merging the Defense, Convention and Official Publication Funds into the General Fund; adopting a contingency dues increase should membership levels drop; and raising strike benefits from $125 per week to $150 per week, with annual increases keyed to wage improvements.

The assembly also approved granting the International president direct supervision of the International secretary-treasurer’s office. The IST office had been supervised by the International Executive Council.